Project 543 tells the story of unique spots across North Carolina we hope will become some of your favorite places. Why 543? Because that’s the number of miles from Manteo, on the coast, to Murphy, in the mountains, and is traditionally considered to be the width of our state. The entries in this project are in no particular order, and we’ll add to them each week. Check in often to find inspiration for your next trip, or start planning today at VisitNC.com.

What is Project 543?

Project 543 tells the story of unique spots across North Carolina we hope will become some of your favorite places. Why 543? Because that’s the number of miles from Manteo, on the coast, to Murphy, in the mountains, and is traditionally considered to be the width of our state. The entries in this project are in no particular order, and we’ll add to them each week. Check in often to find inspiration for your next trip, or start planning today at VisitNC.com.

Search 543

Visit the strangest collection of Americana in the world

Visitors to Hertford County in northeastern North Carolina can trace how appliances like phonographs, music boxes and radios evolved by visiting some of the largest collections in the world at the Brady C. Jefcoat Museum of Americana. The museum in Murfreesboro is one of the state’s quirkiest attractions. It not only features what is believed to be the world’s largest collections of washing machines and irons, but it also includes everything from mouse traps to bed pans in its more than 13,000 pieces. Brady Jefcoat, a plumber turned philanthropist, was an avid collector who also tinkered with and repaired many of the items on display. The collection occupies more than 17,000 square feet of space in the Old Murfreesboro High School. Jefcoat donated his possessions for parks to the Masonic Children’s Home and for the public good. He donated his entire collection of “Americana” to the Murfreesboro Historical Association for the museum. The museum is open on weekends and group tours are offered throughout the week by appointment.